Many Caribbean destinations have islands of their own and Trinidad & Tobago can offer a variety of experiences in this respect.
One favored by the locals is 'Down de Islands,' which is a day trip spent exploring the offshore islands of Trinidad's Northwest coast.
These are Chacachacare, Monos, Huevos, Nelson Island and Gaspar Grande.
Boat tours departing from the Chaguaramas Heritage Park marina, located about eight miles outside of the capital city of Port of Spain.
Many of the islands also offer house rentals, which can sleep up to eight or 10 people.
Images : www.goTrinidadandTobago.com
Cave exploration
A 15-minute boat ride from Chaguaramas, the Gasparee Caves lie below the ground on the island of Gaspar Grande, which is essentially a large coral that has been pushed up out of the ocean.
At approximately 90 feet deep, the caves were once used by pirates and smugglers to secure stolen treasures and are home to a variety of creatures, including harmless bats.
The caves feature formations of Stalactites and Stalagmites which tower over a clear pool in the centre.
Fishing
The Chaguaramas waters of Trinidad are one of the top locations for tarpon fishing attracting tarpon novice and veteran anglers for tournaments or those who fish for fun each year.
June to November are the prime months for fishing in Trinidad, when the waters offer the perfect conditions for tarpons to thrive.
Trinidad's Tarpon Thunder Tournament takes place each August.
www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/trinidad/fishing
Historical Sites
Chacachacare Island was a former leper colony, with legend having it that the head nun hanged herself in the chapel in the mid-1900's.
Some have reported seeing the nun walking around with a lantern at night in addition to hearing voices, being pushed and feeling cold spots.
Prior to housing the leper colony, the island served as a cotton plantation and a whaling station.
In 1896, the highest lighthouse in the world was built on the island. It has since been downgraded to the second-highest and is still maintained by a lighthouse keeper to this day.
Nelson Island
Nelson Island is the largest of the Five Islands, which were all previously quarantine islands, and is dominated by the Quarantine Station built in 1802.
It was the largest quarantine station for indentured immigrants to Trinidad & Tobago in the 19th and 20th twentieth centuries and is often compared to Ellis Island in the United States due to their similar purposes. In the 1900's, the island also served as a detention center for prisoners.
Water sports and Land Adventure
The waters and islands off the north-western shore of Trinidad offer many water and land activities for adventurers of all ages.
Novice kayakers can try their hand at exploring the fairly calm and protected waters of Williams Bay in Chaguaramas and Five Islands, just a little offshore.
The more experienced kayaker can paddle to Gaspar, Monos and the Boca Islands.
Both Scotland Bay and Chacachacare Island are popular spots for swimming and guided snorkeling tours, which guests will be able to spot feather dusters, sea horses, angle fish, butterfly fish and much more.
Stand-up paddle lessons are also available as well as fly boarding, wake boarding and stand-up paddle yoga.
The facts
Enter your text here ...